SS Yongala

SS Yongala was a steel passenger and freight steamer built by Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, which went into service in 1903. The ship, named after the town of Yongala, was owned by the Adelaide Steamship Company. It had a capacity for 122 passengers and 200 tons of cargo. The SS Yongala is most famous for its sinking on 23 March 1911 off Cape Bowling Green, Queensland, Australia. The shipwreck, which is a major tourist attraction and dive site, was not found until 1958.

Design and Construction

The SS Yongala was 107 meters long, with a beam of 14.2 meters and a depth of 7.3 meters. It was powered by a 503 nhp triple expansion steam engine. The ship was equipped with electric light and refrigerating machinery.

Service History

The SS Yongala served on the trade route between Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. It made regular stops at several ports along the way, including Newcastle and Mackay.

Sinking

On 23 March 1911, while en route from Mackay to Townsville, the SS Yongala encountered a cyclone and sank off Cape Bowling Green. All 122 passengers and crew on board were lost, making it one of Australia's worst maritime disasters.

Discovery and Exploration

The wreck of the SS Yongala was discovered in 1958 by a team of divers. It is now a popular dive site and is known for its abundant marine life.

Legacy

The SS Yongala is remembered as one of Australia's worst maritime disasters. The shipwreck is a popular dive site and is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

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